Yes, Please!

Sofia, eager for another Furminating session!

I have Furminated every day, and the three girls I'm not getting a lot from now, certainly not the handfuls I was getting earlier on in the week. Theo's is still fairly prolific, but he doesn't tolerate the brushing for long.

Definitely worth the spend!

Yet Another Hairy Post

Theo, looking rumpled, post nap

Ok, so I tried the FURminator on Theo, with mixed success. He enjoyed having his chin brushed and tolerated (briefly) some of the longer floof on his haunches, but didn't like his back brushed much. But then he's not a huge fan of being brushed anyway.

I don't think it hurt him, I think the sensation was a bit too intense, as he'd purr and purr but then suddenly the paws would come out to warn me (gently, claws in...) but then he would thrust his face forward for more brushing. I stopped after a short time once his tail started swishing back and forth as this conveys irritation in a cat, he'd had enough.

So for Theo, not sure if it's for him. Ava and Sofia were up for another brush though, and several more handfuls of floof were removed!!! The Furminator doesn't cut or pull the hair, it removes already loose undercoat hairs in much the same way a cat would with its tongue, which is why cats get hairballs, of course. It's amazing how much they do shed though.

Hair

Ava is the prettiest cat in real life... but somehow she never seems to take a good photograph. Or one that does her justice, anyway.

Well, it's that time of year again, and the cats are shedding their thick winter coats. Ava especially is looking very slinky at the moment. Sofia hasn't that much to lose and Theo will always be longhaired of course, although he sheds fairly excessively as well.

It's amazing just how much they DO shed, actually. Brushfuls, every night. The first year it happened, I was brushing Ava and so much fur came away I thought something was wrong with her! I'm paying special attention to Theo's underparts too, as I don't want knots. He was in an especially mellow mood last night, and I managed to get a good brushing session in- thanks boy!

I barely notice it with Indigo though... she does get 'fluffier' in the winter, but she seems to lose the excess without much assistance. Just as well, because she wouldn't stay still long enough to be brushed, I suspect :)

Old Floof

Originally posted on my private blog- posted to http://indikon-tonkinese.blogspot.com/ on 06/01/11

Theo has been growing his winter coat, and is currently very very floofy indeed. Unfortunately, in the past month he's also developed two knots, small ones, but nevertheless they have had to be cut out. By me, I hasten to add, they weren't nearly bad enough to be a vet/ groomer job, but nevertheless a timely reminder to stay on top of grooming. We've never had knot problems before, so I can only think it's the fullness of his coat that's suddenly presenting an issue.

The girls aren't remotely concerning. Ava, who is also quite floofy but not to Theo's level adores being brushed, and it's part of our evening routine. Sofia likes a brush too, and whilst she doesn't strictly speaking need it, it helps to get rid of any loose hairs. Indie is so shorthaired she needs little more than the occasional swipe with a soft brush which again, she finds quite pleasant.

Theo though, he isn't a big fan of the brush. He never has been, even from a small kitten. Birman fur is quite silky and not really inclined to knot, unlike breeds like the Persian who need thorough brushing every day. As a result it's never become a routine. I tend to pounce on him when he's sleepy and acquiescent and give him a quick going over, which he seems to tolerate, and he quite enjoys his throat being brushed, poking out his tongue comically. But the knots have both formed in the floof between and under his front legs where it's difficult to get with a brush and where he doesn't like to be exposed- it's a vulnerable area for a cat I guess.

Nevertheless, today he had no option but to consent to a thorough brushing. He disliked it, but he dislikes knot removal even more so I didn't feel at all guilty. He's currently in the highest place in the house (up the cat tree and along the bookshelves) radiating displeasure; his dignity has been upset, I feel! I would take his picture, but I think that might annoy him further, so I've posted an old one from about two years back. Must have been before his first winter, as his tail colour is much darker now.

(Incidentally, in all the worry about Indigo, I forgot to update on Theo's test results last month. They were all clear. My cats go in for unidentifiable illnesses, it seems! But his kidneys and so on all seem to be working fine. Phew! Of course that doesn't explain his illnesses, and the plan now is that IF he has another episode, he will be admitted at that point and further tests run- a scan and an endoscopy in all probability. Of course I'm hoping he doesn't have any more funny turns and that those tests will not be necessary. Anyway, now back to the floof...)

I couldn't imagine being a breeder of longhairs, I must say! They must spend all day brushing their cats, and then brushing themselves- one round with Theo and I'm all over cat hair. Not to mention the carpets, the sofa... They have my wholehearted respect, but I'll stick to my one floofy guy, thanks!

Introducing... Theo

Originally posted on my private blog- posted to http://indikon-tonkinese.blogspot.com/ on 06/01/11

This is Theo, our blue point Birman neuter boy. His pedigree name is Taratyn Theodore and he's almost two and a half years old. He's a colourpoint cat, with a creamy white coat with blue (cat-speak for grey!) 'points'- his ears, face, legs and tail, and he has pure white socks on his paws.

Theo is also known as Theo-boy, Handsome boy, Hairy, Old Floof and... ahem... Mister Furryknickers.

"see what I have to put up with?"

Theo is basically an overgrown kitten and lollops around annoying his kitty colleagues, but he also has a close relationship with them too. All the other cats in turn will join him in mutual grooming and snuggling. He's so placid the girls' sniping goes straight over his head and whilst, in theory, Sofia outranks him (and will put the smackdown if provoked) he doesn't let the pecking order prevent him from doing exactly as he pleases.

He'll tolerate being picked up and cuddled, but his chosen affectionate gesture is the head rub. He likes the outdoors, my only cat who is remotely interested, so he comes out daily on a cat harness for a walk. He's very fluffy and whilst I love his floof, I couldn't be a longhaired cat breeder... it's very prolific and gets EVERYWHERE.

He loves to come and greet visitors and is super friendly and confident. I'd recommend any breeding home to make room for a male neuter as well, if they are anything like my lovely soppy boy, they will be a credit to your household.